The best things to do in Victor Harbor, South Australia
The best things to do in Victor Harbor include the horse-drawn tram to Granite Island, the Cockle Train to Goolwa, whale-watching cruises and the Urumbirra Wildlife Park.
South Australia is overwhelmingly centred on Adelaide, and most of the state’s other towns tend to be functional at best. Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula might offer shark diving tours, but it’s mainly about the tuna fishing industry. Whyalla, further up, is industrial and centred around the steelworks. Port Augusta and Ceduna, meanwhile, are glorified crossroads.
One enjoyable exception to this rule is Victor Harbor, a charming coastal town at the eastern end of the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Things to do in Victor Harbor, SA: Horse-drawn tram and Granite Island
The most famous attractions in Victor Harbor are novelty transport. The Victor Harbor Tramway’s horse-drawn tram heads from the Visitor Information Centre along the causeway to Granite Island. The 3.1km tramway has regular departures. Once on Granite Island, you’ve an excellent chance of spotting wildlife. The most famous inhabitants of the rocky shores are the little penguins. Unfortunately, the colony’s population has been in steep decline and there aren’t many of them left. But keep an eye out while walking around, and there’s a decent chance of seeing one.
The other gimmicky way to get around is the Cockle Train. This heritage steam train heads from Victor Harbor to Goolwa on the edge of the Coorong, one of the finest national parks in Australia. The train travels along the oldest steel railway in Australia, costing $32.50 for the full journey. You can stop along the way if you like – a pie at the Port Elliot Bakery in Port Elliot is worth disembarking for.
It’s half an hour from Victor Harbor to Goolwa or vice versa – combined, they’re the third largest city in South Australia.
Things to do in Victor Harbor, SA: whale-watching
Encounter Bay, on the southern side of the Fleurieu Peninsula, is a whale-watching hotspot between May and October. This is when the southern right whales come to calve in the warmer waters. They can be seen from most headlands and Fleurieu Peninsula beaches between Victor Harbor and Goolwa. But the South Australian Whale Centre at Victor Harbor is the place to go in order to learn more about the gentle giants of the ocean.
The Big Duck offers whale-watching cruises between June and September. For the rest of the year, its tours focus on seals, sea lions and dolphins. Cruises cost from $40.
Elsewhere, the Urumbirra Wildlife Park, just outside Victor Harbor, is a great place to get your Australian wildlife fix. Taking an open range format, many of the animals wander around you. This particularly applies to the kangaroos, who are very happy to be hand-fed. There’s also the chance to pat koalas and watch a snake-handling demonstration.
Adelaide to Victor Harbor drive
The Adelaide to Victor Harbor drive is 84km in distance. That makes for an Adelaide to Victor Harbor driving time of around one hour and four minutes. That said, you’ll be passing through the McLaren Vale wine region, so you might as well stop off at McLaren Vale wineries such as Inkwell, Mitolo or Woodstock along the way.
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